Page 47 of Tempting the Monster
She lets out a laugh, shaking her head. “I make girl dinners, Wells.”
“What the actual fuck does that mean?” I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.
She shifts in the tub, the water sloshing around slightly as she turns to face me a bit more. “It means I eat snacks. Charcuterie-type food. I’m not going to cook a full meal for one person, plus I don’t know how.”
“You don’t know how?” I ask. “To do what?”
“Cook.”
Blinking a few times, I tilt my head to the side and smirk as I watch her. She can’t cook. I open my mouth to ask her how she has lived on her own through college and has a career, yet she can’t cook, but I don’t get the chance because she offers me the information instead.
“My parents died when I was little. I was raised by my aunt and uncle, but they weren’t really the kind of people who cared to teach me those things. Then college. I lived in the dorms and didn’t have to worry about it. Cooking hasn’t really been a priority.”
I should feel like an ass, but I already knew all that shit about her life. I take a step backward, my arms falling to my sides. “Then I’ll order something,” I state.
“Okay,” she exhales.
Turning around, I walk out of the bathroom and leave her alone. Searching for my clothes on the floor, I pull on my pants, zipping them only. I tug on my shirt but don’t button it as I make my way into the kitchen.
With my phone in hand, I glance down at the screen to see if I have any missed notifications. There is just a text from Coleman, and I expect it to be about Shiloh, but it’s not. Instead, it’s for me.
BROTHER 1: HOPE YOU GOT IN THERE. IT’S TIME FOR US TO GET TO WORK. THIS BITCH IS PLAYING… STILL.
Fuck.
WE NEED THIS DEAL TO GO THROUGH FIRST.
BROTHER 1: SHE WENT TO MY NEW BRIDE’S HOUSE.
My eyes widen as I read the words. Fuck. That is not good at all. Not only is it not good, but it is also not acceptable—in the fucking slightest. I bite my bottom lip as I inhale deeply through my nose, then I let it out of my mouth slowly.
THEN I WILL TAKE CARE OF IT TONIGHT.
BROTHER 1: WE.
Then we it will be.
MEET AT MY NEW APARTMENT AT ELEVEN.
BROTHER 1: YOUR STALKER PAD.
NOT STALKING IF I GOT THE PRIZE.
Coleman doesn’t respond with anything except an eye-roll emoji. I don’t bother texting anything else, and instead, I decide to order lunch for me and Parker. I had planned to order breakfast, but glancing at the time, I realize it’s almost noon, so lunch it is. I choose my favorite restaurant and get some Greek along with Baklava for dessert.
ChapterNineteen
PARKER
I’m notsure how long I stay in the bath, but when the water turns cold, I decide it’s time for me to get out. I reach for the towel on the floor beside me, then touch the release on the tub’s plug and listen to it begin to drain for a moment.
I glance down at the drain and watch as the water swirls and creates a little tornado before I force myself to stand and wrap the towel around me.
Wells was correct when he said that I spent a lot of money on things but didn’t have any food, and it’s comical because I think that all of the time about myself. He just voiced exactly what I’ve thought a million times.
Walking over to the vanity, I start to gather my toothbrush and toothpaste so I can freshen up a bit, but when I catch a glimpse of myself in the reflection of the mirror, I suck in a breath. I’m not sure if I stare at myself in horror over my appearance or what I’m feeling.
My hair is a complete and total mess. It looks like I stood in a windstorm for about eight hours and never bothered to brush it out. But as scary as that is, it’s my face and eyes that have me the most mesmerized.